How to Create a Google My Business Profile in 2025
Your free step-by-step guide to getting listed on Google Search & Maps — plus professional setup help from Shivah Web Tech.
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Why Your Business Needs a Google Business Profile Right Now
Every day without a Google Business Profile (GBP) is a day your competitors are capturing the customers searching for exactly what you offer. According to BrightLocal, 98% of consumers searched online for a local business in 2024 — and the majority of those searches ended on Google Maps.
A GBP listing is completely free, takes under 30 minutes to set up, and is the single fastest way to appear in front of local buyers. Yet over 60% of small businesses either have no listing, have an unverified listing, or have one filled with errors that actively suppress their ranking.
This guide walks you through exactly how to create a Google My Business Profile from scratch, what to do after verification, and how professional GMB optimization takes you from just being listed to ranking #1 in the Local 3-Pack.
Step-by-Step: How to Create a Google My Business Profile
Go to google.com/business
Sign in with the Google account you want linked to your business.
Enter Business Name
Type your exact legal business name. If a duplicate exists, claim it instead of creating a new one.
Select Primary Category
Choose the most specific and accurate category — this is the #1 ranking signal in GBP.
Add Location or Service Area
Enter your physical address or define service areas if you’re a mobile or home-based business.
Add Phone & Website
Use the same number and URL you have on all other directories and your website footer.
Verify Your Business
Choose from postcard (5–14 days), phone, email, or video verification. You must verify to go live.
Complete Your Profile
Add hours, description, photos, services, products, and attributes to maximize visibility.
Once verified, your profile goes live on Google Search and Maps. But simply creating a profile is just the beginning. Full GMB optimization is what determines whether you rank in position 1, 2, 3 — or nowhere.
🚀 Want Us to Create & Optimize Your GBP for You?
Skip the setup hassle. We’ll create, verify, and fully optimize your Google Business Profile — done-for-you, done right.
What to Do Immediately After Creating Your Profile
Verification is step one. Here’s what separates a ranking GBP from a listing nobody sees:
- Write a 750-character keyword-rich business description including city and main service
- Add all secondary business categories (up to 9)
- Upload at least 10 high-quality photos: exterior, interior, team, products/services
- Set accurate business hours including holiday hours
- Enable all relevant attributes (online booking, delivery, accessibility, etc.)
- Add every service you offer with keyword-rich descriptions and pricing
- Seed 5–10 Q&A entries with questions your customers actually ask
- Publish your first Google Post (offer, news, or event)
- Start your review acquisition strategy — aim for 10+ reviews in first 30 days
- Embed Google Maps on your website’s contact/location page
- Ensure your NAP matches your website footer and all online directories
According to Google’s own research, businesses with complete profiles receive 7× more clicks than incomplete ones. Every field you leave empty is ranking potential you’re leaving on the table.
Google Business Profile Verification Methods Explained
Many businesses get stuck here. Here’s a clear breakdown of every verification option Google currently offers:
| Method | How It Works | Timeframe | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postcard | Google mails a postcard with a 5-digit code to your business address | 5–14 days | Most businesses with a physical address |
| Phone / SMS | Receive an automated call or text with a code | Instant | Eligible established businesses |
| Code sent to your business email domain | Instant | Eligible businesses with matching domain email | |
| Video | Record a short walkthrough video proving business location and existence | 3–7 days review | New or unaddressed businesses |
| Live Video Call | Google agent verifies via live video call | Scheduled call | Businesses with difficulty using other methods |
| Google Search Console | Instant if website is verified in Search Console | Instant | Businesses with an established, verified website |
Pro tip: If you have your website verified in Google Search Console, the GBP verification is often instant — making this the fastest path for businesses with an existing web presence.
📞 Struggling with Verification? We Handle It.
GBP verification issues — including suspended listings and undelivered postcards — are some of the most common problems we solve for clients every week.
Professional GMB Setup & Optimization Pricing
Already know you’d rather have experts handle this? Here’s exactly what we offer and what it costs:
| Package | One-Time Setup $99 | Starter Monthly $149/mo | Growth Monthly $249/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP Creation & Verification | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Category & Description Optimization | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Photo Upload (Optimized) | 5 photos | 5/month | 15/month |
| Google Posts | ❌ | 2/month | 6/month |
| Citation Building | ❌ | 20 dirs | 50 dirs |
| Review Management | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Monthly Performance Report | ❌ | Basic | Detailed |
| Ongoing Optimization | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Get Started | Get Started ⭐ | Get Started |
DIY GBP Setup vs. Professional Setup — What’s the Difference?
| Factor | Shivah Web Tech | DIY Setup |
|---|---|---|
| Profile Completeness | 100% optimized | Often 40–60% complete |
| Category Selection | Research-backed | Best guess |
| Keyword Optimization | ✅ Fully integrated | Rarely done |
| Verification Success Rate | 99%+ first attempt | Varies — retries common |
| Photo Optimization & Geotagging | ✅ Included | Unknown |
| NAP Consistency Audit | ✅ Included | Skipped |
| Time Required | Zero — done for you | 3–6+ hours |
| Ongoing Ranking Strategy | ✅ Monthly management | Manual, inconsistent |
| Results Timeline | Faster — optimized from day 1 | Slower — gradual trial & error |
🎯 Let Us Create & Rank Your Google Profile
Professional setup from $99 one-time. Monthly management from $149/mo. No contracts. No jargon. Just results.
Why Google Business Profile Matters: Key 2025 Statistics
- 📊 Businesses in the top 3 local results receive over 75% of all local search clicks — Moz Local Ranking Factors
- 📊 Complete GBP profiles get 7× more clicks and 70% more location visits than partial profiles — Google Business Help
- 📊 64% of consumers use Google Business Profile to find contact details — BrightLocal
- 📊 Responding to reviews makes businesses 1.7× more trustworthy in consumers’ eyes — BrightLocal Research
- 📊 76% of mobile local searchers visit a related business within 24 hours — Think with Google
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🌐 One Agency for Everything Local
From GMB setup to web design to Google Ads — Shivah Web Tech handles your complete local digital presence so you can focus on running your business.
Frequently Asked Questions — Create Google My Business Profile
💬 Still Have Questions? Talk to a GMB Expert.
Free 15-minute call. No pitch, no pressure — just honest advice about what it’ll take to rank your business on Google Maps.
Start Showing Up Where Your Customers Are Searching
Creating a Google My Business Profile is the single most impactful free action any local business can take in 2025. But simply creating the listing isn’t enough. The businesses consistently winning calls, foot traffic, and revenue from Google Maps are the ones with fully optimized, actively managed profiles.
Whether you’re setting up from scratch, reclaiming a suspended listing, or ready to move from a basic profile to a top-3 ranking strategy — Shivah Web Tech is your partner for every step.
We’ve helped 500+ businesses across the USA get found, get called, and get customers through Google. Start with a free audit today and we’ll show you exactly where you stand and how fast we can move you up.
📞 Contact Shivah Web Tech — GMB Setup & Local SEO Experts
Create Google My Business Profile | Google Maps Ranking | Local SEO USA
📞 +91-8580892163
✉ info@shivahwebtech.com
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Shivah Web Tech Private Limited is a full-service digital marketing and web development agency helping businesses in India and the USA grow their local online presence. Services include GMB Optimization, Local SEO, Google Ads, Web Design, and SEO. Contact: +91-8580892163 | info@shivahwebtech.com
